Letter
from an Indigo Child to a Teacher
Dear Teacher
Hi and thanks for reading my letter
I am that child who usually doesn't sit still at his desk, the
one you are always telling to be quiet. The one when you are explaining
something to, understands before you've even finished but gets
bored if you have to repeat it. Sometimes my behavior can be bad
or disruptive just to get attention. I like to talk about things
you think I'm too young for. You are always telling my parents
that I can't learn, although when something interests me I learn
easily, but when I know enough about it I quit out of boredom.
I don't answer to authority, I do to understanding and explanations.
I learn by imitation, your example it's very important to me.
According to you I am always breaking the rules and creating new
ones. I am that "genius in the making" who would be the best if
I concentrated on what I was doing…….
My parents took me to the doctor and they say I have ADHD, something
called Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and that means
I can't sit still, can't pay attention for a long time, I'm easily
distracted and hyperactive too. The doctor wanted me to take Ritalin,
my mum said "no way, if you take drugs you become an addict",
then mom did some research and now I do things like sport, martial
arts, tai-chi, yoga which help me focus my energy. She also stopped
giving me food with sugar o glucose, this way I feel more relaxed.
I don't like to be treated as a child, maybe I know less about
some things but that doesn't mean that I don't know anything at
all about them, I am on my own process. Give me more time to grasp
things, I learn in a different way. If I don't learn the usual
way…..why are you always teaching me in the same way? Maybe if
it was in a more practical way? I am always asking "Why?". That
doesn't mean I am testing you. I'm only curious. If you don't
know the answer, please tell me, don't avoid me, show me how to
find it. I'd like to be included in the decisions that affect
me, I am not just another pupil. I'd like you to acknowledge that
I am different, not to classify me as different. I am neither
more nor less than you. If you could explain me why we study and
that in order to get certain things we need discipline, I'd react
differently. When I can't get focus on anything, do something
to relax me: a game, music, dancing…..but don't shout at me. I
know that sometimes you get desperate in class because none of
us pay attention. Have you tried to find out what we really like?
Best
Wishes with Love, José Manuel
(The fine print: this piece was written by Jose Manuel Piedrafita
Moreno, Educator and Indigo Adult. You are free to use and re-distribute
this piece as long as you do not change it in any way, including
the credits. Walk in peace).
